Philadelphia Diocese to issue rulings on school appeals

Decision on 48 schools in the balance

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is set to announce the result of its appeals process after announcing last month plans to close 48 schools in response to rising costs and declining enrollment.

The diocese is announcing the final decisions on appeals by elementary schools at a news conference at this hour. Officials say decisions on the four high schools slated for closure will be announced at a later date.

The planned closures are technically recommendations made by the archdiocese's Blue Ribbon Commission, a 16-member task force of church officials and laity created in December 2010.

Since last month's announcement, schools slated for closure in the five-county Philadelphia region have held candlelight vigils, organized rallies and marches and presented enrollment data and financial projections to archdiocesan officials.

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